HOCKEY: Dancer prunes squad

BARRY DANCER, the Great Britain coach, has reduced his training squad to 24 as he sets in progress preparations for next March's Olympic qualifying tournament in Osaka, Japan. Dancer has included all 18 of the England European Cup squad plus Duncan Woods and Justin Pidcock, who were not available for selection because of injuries, together with reserve goalkeeper Jimi Lewis.

In addition, David Hacker, the 34-year-old Canterbury and Welsh centre- half who missed out at the Barcelona Olympics, is included, along with the Scottish teenage striker Lawrence Docherty, currently playing with the Frankfurt 1880 club and shortly to join Southgate. The Reading defender Robert Todd is the only newcomer to Dancer's original squad. Six additional players have been invited to the first training week at Bisham Abbey from 24 to 28 October, with the coach making it clear that players outside the squad will still be considered for selection.